Diagnostic analytical method utilizing DNA chips with thin-film transistor (TFT) elements

ABSTRACT

An IJ-system reagent inspection device  3  that instructs an ejection device to eject a reagent and reads an inspection result from a detachable DNA chip module  2 . The method is carried out based on inspection information of inputted inspection items to produce and output inspection data along with inputted examinee-identification information and the corresponding inspection items through communication lines. In a control device  5 , the examinee identification information is received from the IJ-system reagent inspection device  3  along with the inspection items and the inspection data through the communication lines. The inspection items and the inspection data are recorded in association with the examinee identification information to request a diagnosis based on the inspection data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional patent application of U.S. Ser. No.10/635,213 filed Aug. 6, 2003, claiming priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2002-230287 filed Aug. 7, 2002, all of which areincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reagent inspection device (producingsystem) using an inkjet system wherein a liquid reagent is ejected on aDNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) chip module for inspection. An ejectingmethod (inkjet method) is used for ejecting a liquid with fluidity ontothe chip module. The present invention also relates to a control devicefor controlling the inspection carried out by the reagent inspectiondevice, its control method, control system, and control program.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, a DNA chip module has been used for inspecting the diagnosisof physical conditions such as genes. Using the DNA chip module, bloodof an examinee and a reagent are supplied on spike spots arrayed in amatrix arrangement on the DNA chip module so as to allow them to react.An inkjet method is useful for supplying the reagent and is attractingattention.

The inspection method using the DNA chip module, however, may beachieved only by supplying blood of an examinee to the DNA chip module.As such, for people who do not have hospitals in their neighborhood, itis difficult to go to the hospital in a bad physical condition toundergo the inspection.

For this reason, it is desirable to develop an IJ-system (inkjet system)reagent inspection device, wherein a liquid reagent is ejected onto theDNA chip module for inspection, that uses a control system capable ofrequesting diagnosis of the inspection data from the IJ-system reagentinspection device via a communication line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of this desirability, and itis an object thereof to provide a control system capable of requesting adiagnosis by obtaining inspection data from an IJ-system reagentinspection device via communication lines. It is another object of thepresent invention to provide a reagent inspection device (producingsystem) using an inkjet system and its control device, control method,and control program for achieving the control system.

A reagent inspection device according to the present invention comprisesan ejection device for ejecting a liquid reagent with fluidity onto anobject using an inkjet system, and communicating means for transmittingand receiving data via communication lines. A connector for detachablyconnecting a DNA chip module, and inspecting means for instructing theejection device to eject the reagent and reading an inspection resultfrom the DNA chip module based on inspection information of inputtedinspection items are also provided. The inspecting means also producesand outputs inspection data of the inspection result, along with anyinputted examinee-identification information. The correspondinginspection items are sent through the communicating means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the entire structure of a control system ofa reagent inspection device (an IJ-system reagent inspection device)using an inkjet system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a structure of a DNA chip module 2 shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a structure of an IJ-system reagentinspection device 3 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a structure of a control device 5 shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a flow of the inspection processing carried outby the IJ-system reagent inspection device 3 shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a flow of the control processing carried out bya control processor 41 shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The inspecting means is characterized by recording on the DNA chipmodule that it is used after the inspection. The inspecting means ischaracterized by accessing a diagnostician database storing informationof diagnosticians who diagnose using the inspection data so as to obtainand output diagnostician information so that the selectively inputdiagnostician information is produced and output along with theinspection data.

A control device according to the present invention comprisescommunicating means for transmitting and receiving data viacommunication lines; memorizing means for storing inspection items andtheir inspection data in association with examinee identificationinformation; and control processing means for receiving the examineeidentification information from a reagent inspection device along withthe inspection items and the inspection data by the communicating meansso as to store them in the memorizing means and to request a diagnosisbased on the inspection data.

The control processing means is characterized by accessing an inspectionevaluation information database storing inspection evaluationinformation corresponding to inspection data contents for eachinspection item so as to obtain the corresponding inspection evaluationinformation and transmit it to the reagent inspection device through thecommunication means.

A control method according to the present invention comprises the stepsof receiving examinee identification information along with inspectionitems and inspection data from a reagent inspection device throughcommunication lines; recording the inspection items and the inspectiondata in association with the examinee identification information; andrequesting a diagnosis based on the inspection data.

A control method according to the present invention further comprisesthe steps of gaining access to an inspection evaluation informationdatabase storing inspection evaluation information corresponding toinspection data contents for each inspection item so as to obtain thecorresponding inspection evaluation information and transmitting theinspection evaluation information to the reagent inspection devicethrough the communication lines.

A control program according to the present invention comprises theprocesses for causing a computer to execute receiving examineeidentification information along with inspection items and inspectiondata from a reagent inspection device through communication lines;recording the inspection items and the inspection data in associationwith the examinee identification information; and requesting a diagnosisbased on the inspection data.

A control program according to the present invention further comprisesthe processes for causing a computer to execute gaining access to aninspection evaluation information database storing inspection evaluationinformation corresponding to inspection data contents for eachinspection item so as to obtain the corresponding inspection evaluationinformation; and transmitting the inspection evaluation information tothe reagent inspection device through the communication lines.

By these control programs, the above-mentioned control device can beachieved using a computer.

A control system according to the present invention comprises aproducing system, a control device, and a communication networkproviding communication lines capable of transmitting data, wherein theproducing system and the control device are connected to thecommunication network.

Embodiments according to the present invention will now be describedbelow with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control system of a reagent inspectiondevice (an IJ-system reagent inspection device) using an inkjet system.Referring to FIG. 1, an inspection facility 1 has an IJ-system reagentinspection device 3 provided therein. The inspection facility 1 is alsoprovided with a DNA chip module 2 to be used for the inspection by theIJ-system reagent inspection device 3. Numeral 4 denotes a hospitaloperating the IJ-system reagent inspection device 3. The hospital 4includes a control device 5 for controlling the inspection performed bythe IJ-system reagent inspection device 3 and a terminal 6. Thisterminal 6 is used by a doctor in the hospital 4, for example.

Numeral 7 denotes a communication network providing communication linescapable of transmitting data. The communication network 7 may use atelephone circuit, a leased circuit, or a computer network such as theInternet, for example. The IJ-system reagent inspection device 3, thecontrol device 5, and the terminal 6 can be connected to thecommunication network 7. Also, the IJ-system reagent inspection device 3and the terminal 6 may gain access to the control device 5 via thecommunication network 7. For example, the control device 5 may beregarded as a server having the IJ-system reagent inspection device 3and the terminal 6 as clients so as to form a client/server system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the DNA chip module 2 shown in FIG. 1. TheDNA chip module 2 is provided with a plurality of TFT elements 11 formedtherein. These TFT elements 11 are substantially linearly arranged atsubstantially equal intervals in a plurality of lines. The TFT element11 functions as a semiconductor field-effect biosensor for detecting thereaction between a reagent and the blood of an examinee, for example,supplied on the TFT element 11. The DNA chip module 2 also includes adrive circuit 12 for driving each TFT element 11, a used flag memory 13for memorizing the flag showing the DNA chip module 2 being used, and aterminal unit 14 having terminals for inputting and outputting varioussignals during setting of the DNA chip module 2 in the IJ-system reagentinspection device 3. Through the terminal unit 14, the input or outputof an output signal of each TFT element 11, an input signal to the drivecircuit 12, and writing and reading signals of the used flag memory 13are possible.

The used flag memory 13 uses a nonvolatile memory such as a flashmemory. The used flag memory 13 memorizes the used flag for preventingthe misuse of the DNA chip module 2 or the like. Misuse is prevented byindicating that the DNA chip module 2 is being used. In addition, sincethe DNA chip module 2 is treated as being non-returnable, it ispreferable that the used flag memory 13 uses a non-rewritable recordingelement.

Now referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of the IJ-system reagentinspection device 3 shown in FIG. 1 is depicted. In FIG. 3, numeral 20denotes an ejecting device for supplying a reagent, which is a liquidwith fluidity, to the DNA chip module 2. The ejecting device 20 iscomposed of an inkjet head 21 for ejecting the reagent on the TFTelement 11 of the DNA chip module 2 in a dot pattern by an inkjetsystem. The ejecting device is also composed of a driving circuit 22 forproducing and outputting a driving signal for controlling the ejectionoperation of the inkjet head 21, a reagent tank 23 for storing thereagent to supply it to the inkjet head 21, a CPU (not shown) forcontrolling several parts of the circuit, and a memory (not shown) forstoring the program carried out by the CPU, various data, and the like.The reagent tank 23 is a detachable structure and supplied from areagent manufacturer with the reagent.

Numeral 30 denotes an inspection unit for inspecting the DNA chip module2. The inspection unit 30 is composed of an inspection control processor31 for processing the inspection control during the inspection of theDNA chip module 2, a DNA chip signal processor 32 for producinginspection data that is transmitted to the control device 5 afterreceiving an output signal from each TFT element 11 of the DNA chipmodule 2, and a connector 33 capable of connecting to the terminal unit14 of the DNA chip module 2. The inspection unit 30 also includes acommunication unit 34 that communicates data with the control device 5by connecting to the communication network 7, a display 35 fordisplaying messages of the inspection, and an operation unit 36 thatsets inspection items and provides instructs to execute the inspection.Through the communication unit 34, the inspection control processor 31and the DNA chip signal processor 32 can send and receive data to andfrom the control device 5.

The connector 33 is structured so as to detachably attach the DNA chipmodule 2 thereto. Through the connector 33, the input and output signalscan be sent to and from the DNA chip module 2.

The inspection control processor 31 stores inspection items and theircontents, inspection procedures, reagent ejection information, andreaction times as inspection information so as to process the inspectioncontrol based on the inspection information. As the inspection controlprocesses, the inspection control processor 31 produces and outputs aTFT-element drive designation to the drive circuit 12 of the DNA chipmodule 2 according to the inspection procedure established by theoperation unit 36. The drive circuit 12 drives the TFT element 11according to the TFT-element drive designation. Also, the used flagmemory 13 is read and written.

The inspection control processor 31 also informs the ejecting device 20of reagent ejection information corresponding to the inspection itemestablished by the operation unit 36 so as to instruct the ejectingdevice 20 to execute ejection. The reagent ejection information may be adischarge rate of the reagent, for example, and the discharge rate isstored for each TFT element 11 of the DNA chip module 2. On the basis ofthe reagent ejection information, the ejecting device 20 adjusts thedischarge rate for each TFT element 11.

The DNA chip signal processor 32 stores process information forproducing inspection data. The output signal of each TFT element 11received from the DNA chip module 2 based on this process information.Also, when the inspection data is sent to the control device 5, examineeidentifying information and inspection items established by theoperation unit 36 are sent along therewith. This examinee identifyinginformation is identifiable as a health insurance ID card number, or apatient's file number at the hospital 4, for example.

The inspection information is renewable from the control device 5 viathe communication network 7. Also, the contents of the inspection dataproducing process carried out by the DNA chip signal processor 32 isrenewable from the control device 5 in the same way.

In addition, the functions of the inspection control processor 31 andthe DNA chip signal processor 32 may be achieved by using dedicatedhardware, or their functions may be achieved by loading programs intothe memories and CPUs (central processing units) of the processors.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control device 5 shown in FIG. 1. InFIG. 4, numeral 41 denotes a control processor that controls theinspection carried out by the IJ-system reagent inspection device 3.Numeral 42 denotes a memory for storing various data and this memory isaccessible from the control processor 41. Numeral 43 denotes acommunication unit that communicates data with the IJ-system reagentinspection device 3 or the terminal 6 by connecting with thecommunication network 7. Using the communication unit 43, the controlprocessor 41 can send and receive data to and from the IJ-system reagentinspection device 3 and the terminal 6.

It is preferable that an input device and a display (both not shown) arealso connected, as peripheral devices, to the control device 5. Theinput device is preferably a keyboard or a mouse, and the display meansis preferably a CRT (cathode ray tube), a liquid crystal display, or thelike.

The control processor 41 records the inspection items and theirinspection data that are received from the IJ-system reagent inspectiondevice 3 on the memory 42. The control processor 41 records theinspection items and their inspection data by relating them to thecorresponding examinee identifying information that is received alongwith the inspection items and their inspection data. Also, in the memory42, information that identifies persons who are permitted to gain accessto the control device 5 is stored. This information could be a user-IDand its password, for example. When trying to gain access, the controlprocessor 41 requires inputting a user-ID and its password which permitsaccess only when they agree with the user ID and its password stored inthe memory 42. In this manner, the leaking of personal information of anexaminee from being is prevented.

Also in the memory 42, diagnosis-request destination information thatrequests the diagnosis of inspection data is stored for each inspectionitem. The control processor 41 sends a diagnosis-request notification tothe corresponding diagnosis-request destination based ondiagnosis-request destination information that corresponds to aninspection item received along with inspection data. Examples of thisdiagnosis-request destination information may be an IP (internetprotocol) address of the terminal 6 used by a diagnosing doctor, or anE-mail address of the diagnosing doctor.

In addition, the functions of the control processor 41 may be achievedby using dedicated hardware, or their functions may also be achieved byloading programs into the memory and CPU (central processing unit), ofthe processor.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, operation during inspection in the inspectionfacility 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the inspectionprocess carried out by the IJ-system reagent inspection device 3 shownin FIG. 3. First, an inspector in the inspection facility 1 suppliesblood of an examinee, for example, to each TFT element 11 of the DNAchip module 2 by setting the DNA chip module 2 in the connector 33 ofthe IJ-system reagent inspection device 3. This initiates inspection bythe operation unit. Then, the inspector selects a target inspection itemfrom inspection items displayed on the display 35, and also inputsexaminee identifying information. In addition, when the inspection itemis selected, the inspection content of each inspection item may also bedisplayed.

Next, the inspection control processor 31 of the IJ-system reagentinspection device 3 reads a used flag from the used flag memory 13 ofthe DNA chip module 2 so as to confirm whether the used flag is unset(unused state). When the used flag is set (used state), a message thatthe corresponding DNA chip module 2 is used is displayed on the display35 so as to finish the processing (steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 5).

On the other hand, if the used flag is unset so that the DNA chip module2 is unused, the inspection control processor 31 informs the ejectingdevice 20 of the reagent ejection information corresponding to each ofthe established inspection items so as to instruct to execute theejection. Thereby, the ejecting device 20 ejects the reagent on each TFTelement 11 while adjusting the ejection amount of the reagent for eachTFT element 11 based on the reagent ejection information (step S3).

Next, the inspection control processor 31 instructs the drive circuit 12of the DNA chip module 2 to drive the TFT element according to thecorresponding inspection procedure. After a reaction period, theinspection result from the DNA chip module 2 is read. The inspectioncontrol processor 31 also instructs the DNA chip signal processor 32 toproduce the inspection data from the output signals of each TFT element11 received from the DNA chip module 2. In this manner, the drivecircuit 12 drives the corresponding TFT element 11 according to the TFTelement driving instructions so that the DNA chip signal processor 32receives the output signal produced by the TFT element 11 so as toproduce the inspection data (step S4).

Next, the DNA chip signal processor 32 sends the produced inspectiondata to the control device 5 through the communication unit 34. Theexaminee identifying information and the inspection items established bythe operation unit 36 are also sent (step S6). Further, the inspectioncontrol processor 31 writes the used flag in the used flag memory 13 toset it in a used state (step S6). In this manner, the inspectionprocessing carried out by the IJ-system reagent inspection device 3 isfinished.

Now, referring to FIG. 6, the operation of the control device 5 at thehospital 4 where the inspection data is received will be described. FIG.6 is a flowchart of the control processing carried out by the controlprocessor 41 shown in FIG. 4. First, upon receiving inspection items andinspection data from the IJ-system reagent inspection device 3 throughthe communication unit 43, the control device 5 records thecorresponding inspection items and the inspection data on the memory 42.This is done by relating the inspection items and inspection data withthe examinee identifying information received (steps S11 and S12 shownin FIG. 6). Then, the control processor 41 sends a diagnosis-requestnotification to a corresponding diagnosis-request destination based onthe diagnosis-request destination information that is received alongwith inspection data (step S13). The diagnosis-request destinationinformation corresponds to a selected inspection item. Thereafter, ifthe processing is continued, the process is returned to the step S11.

The doctor who has received the diagnosis-request notification obtainsthe inspection data by accessing the control device 5 through theterminal 6 in order to diagnose the corresponding inspection item. Thediagnosis result is then sent to the examinee via a confidential mail oran E-mail with a password. In this manner, personal information of theexaminee is protected.

In addition, according to the embodiment described above, an examineemay select a diagnostician. For example, during an inspection in theinspection facility 1 that has a diagnostician database that storesdiagnostician (doctor) information, a list of diagnosticians demanded byan examinee may be obtained from the IJ-system reagent inspection device3 by accessing the diagnostician database. Then, the diagnosticianinformation selected by the examinee is sent to the control device 5along with the inspection data. The control device 5 requests adiagnosis by the diagnostician shown in the diagnostician information.In this manner, the examinee can simply select a doctor, such as afamily doctor, that will request the diagnosis.

Also, by providing an inspection assessment information database thatstores inspection assessment information corresponding to the content ofthe inspection data for each inspection item (decision information ofsuspicious diseases and symptoms, for example), when the control device5 receives the inspection data, the corresponding inspection assessmentinformation may be obtained by accessing the inspection assessmentinformation database. The inspection assessment information may then besent to the IJ-system reagent inspection device 3 and displayed. In thismanner, the information based on the inspection can be promptly sent tothe examinee after the inspection. As a result, the examinee can be madeaware of physical conditions detected by the inspection promptly afterthe inspection.

Furthermore, if the past inspection data, diagnosis results, andsymptoms for each examinee are stored in the inspection assessmentinformation database, more precise information can be given to theexaminee.

In addition, according to the embodiment described above, the inspectioninformation may be stored in the inspection control processor 31 of theIJ-system reagent inspection device 3, or it may be recorded in thecontrol device 5 so that the corresponding inspection information may beaccessed at the control device 5 through the IJ-system reagentinspection device 3. Alternatively, the inspection information may bestored in a database different from the control device 5.

Also, according to the embodiment described above, when the inspectionresult is read from the DNA chip module 2, the output signal of the TFTelement 11 is obtained to produce the inspection data. It should beunderstood, however, that the inspection result may be read by othermethods. For example, various reaction situations on the TFT element 11may be obtained optically by a CCD (charge coupled device) as image datato produce the inspection data. Also, the inspection data may beprocessed by the control device 5.

In addition, according to the embodiment described above, the DNA chipmodule may have a semiconductor field-effect biosensor formed on the TFTelement. Alternatively, the DNA chip module may have a semiconductorfield-effect biosensor formed on another element that is different fromthe TFT element. That is, the biosensor may be another sensor than thesemiconductor field-effect biosensor.

Further, the arrangement of the biosensor on the DNA chip module shouldnot be limited to the arrangement in the above embodiment in that theelements may be substantially linearly arranged at substantially equalintervals in a plurality of lines.

Also, according to the embodiment described above, the inkjet head 21provided in the ejecting device 20 may be an inkjet head structured toeject ink using the deflection of a piezoelectric element. Further, theinkjet head may be an inkjet head with a structure such as anink-ejecting system that uses bubbles produced by heating, for example.

Also, in the inkjet head 21, the nozzles may be substantially linearlyarranged at substantially equal intervals in a plurality of lines.Alternatively, the nozzles may not be at equal intervals, or the nozzlesmay not be linearly arranged in lines.

The inspection processing may be carried out by using recording programsthat achieve the processing carried out by the IJ-system reagentinspection device 3 shown in FIG. 3 on a computer-readable recordingmedium. In this manner, a computer system can read and execute theprograms recorded on the recording medium.

The control processing may also be carried out by using recordingprograms that achieve the processing carried out by the control device 5shown in FIG. 4 on a computer-readable recording medium. Again, thiscauses the computer system to read and execute the programs recorded onthe recording medium.

In addition, “the computer system” here may include an OS (operatingsystem) and hardware such as peripheral devices. Also, “the computersystem” may include a Web site providing environment (or displayenvironment) if a WWW (world wide web) system is used. Further, “thecomputer-readable recording medium” may be represented by a portablemedium such as a flexible disk, a magnetic-optical disk, an ROM (readonly memory), a CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory), and a memorydevice such as a hard disk built in a computer system.

Furthermore, “the computer-readable recording medium” may include adevice that holds a program for a predetermined period of time such as avolatile memory (RAM random access memory) in a computer system. Thisserves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over anetwork such as the Internet, or communication lines such as a telephonecircuit.

Also, the above-mentioned program may be transmitted from a computersystem housing the program in a memory to another computer system via atransmission medium, or through a transmitted wave in the transmissionmedium. The “transmission medium” transmitting the program represents amedium that has an information-transmitting function such as a network(communication network) or communication lines (communication wire). Anexample of a network would be the Internet, and an example of acommunication line would be a telephone circuit.

Furthermore, the program may also used in combination with a programhaving the above-mentioned functions already recorded in the computersystem, which is a so-called difference file (difference program).

It should be understood that although the embodiments according to thepresent invention have been described above in detail, a specificstructure is not limited to the above embodiments and may be modified inaccordance with the spirit and scope of the invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, the reagentinspection device (IJ-system reagent inspection device) uses an inkjetsystem and gives instructions to eject a reagent to the ejection device.The reagent inspection device also reads an inspection result receivedfrom the detachable DNA chip module. The inspection result is based oninspection information of the inputted inspection items that is producedand output as inspection data along with inputtedexaminee-identification information and the corresponding inspectionitems through communication lines.

In the control device, the examinee identification information isreceived from the reagent inspection device along with the inspectionitems and inspection data through communication lines. The inspectionitems and the inspection data are recorded in association with theexaminee identification information to request a diagnosis based on theinspection data. In this manner, if the IJ-system reagent inspectiondevice and the control device are connected to the communicationnetwork, a control system can be provided which is capable of receivingthe inspection data from the IJ-system reagent inspection device via thecommunication lines.

As a result, if the IJ-system reagent inspection devices are placed inscattered facilities such as convenience stores, a number of people canfreely undergo an inspection. As such, the device contributes anadvantage to the health care of many people. In particular, for peoplewho do not have hospitals in their neighborhood, the device of thepresent invention is very useful because they can immediately go throughan inspection in a bad physical condition which requires attentionimmediately.

Further, in the IJ-system reagent inspection device and after theinspection, the DNA chip module is recorded as having been used so thaterrors such as using the used DNA chip module in another inspection canbe prevented.

Also, by accessing an inspection evaluation information database thatstores information about diagnosticians who diagnose the inspectiondata, one can obtain and output the desired diagnostician information.In this manner, the selectively inputted diagnostician information maybe produced along with the inspection data, so that an examinee canselect a diagnostician such as a home doctor to request a diagnosis.

Moreover, by accessing an inspection evaluation information databasethat stores inspection evaluation information which corresponds to theinspection data contents for each inspection item, the correspondinginspection evaluation information may be obtained and transmitted to thereagent inspection device. In this manner, the information based on theinspection can be promptly sent to the examinee after the inspection.

1. A control method comprising the steps of: receiving examineeidentification information along with analytical parameters andinspection data through a communicating network for transmitting andreceiving data via communication lines from a reagent inspection deviceincluding a removable DNA chip module having a plurality of thin-filmtransistor (TFT) elements, a drive circuit for driving each TFT element,a used flag memory, a terminal unit, and an ejection device for ejectingthe liquid reagent onto the DNA chip module, the TFT elements beingsubstantially linearly arranged at substantially equal intervals in aplurality of lines and functioning as semiconductor field-effectbiosensors for detecting the reaction between a liquid reagent and theblood of an examinee supplied on the TFT elements; recording theanalytical parameters and the inspection data in association with theexaminee identification information with an analysis unit that storesthe analytical parameters, receives the examinee identificationinformation, instructs the ejection device to eject the reagent to theDNA chip module, reads results of an analyzed DNA chip module based onselected analytical parameters, and produces and outputs data related tothe results of the analyzed DNA chip module; and requesting a diagnosisbased on the inspection data, wherein the analysis unit produces andoutputs the data of the results of the analyzed DNA chip module, theexaminee-identification information, and the selected analyticalparameters through the communicating network; the analysis unit isadapted to be controlled from a remote location through thecommunicating network by a control unit such that the analyticalparameters may be selected remotely via the communication network; theanalytical parameters are information directed to diseases and symptoms;and the terminal unit includes terminals for inputting and outputtingvarious signals of each TFT element, is adapted to input a signal to thedrive circuit, and is adapted to write and read signals of the used flagmemory.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising recordingon the DNA chip module that the DNA chip module has been used after theanalysis with the analysis unit.
 3. The method according to claim 1,further comprising accessing a diagnostician database that storesinformation of diagnosticians who diagnose the data of the results ofthe inspected DNA chip module; and obtaining and outputtingdiagnostician information obtained from the diagnostician database sothat the selected diagnostician information is produced along with thedata of the results of the inspected DNA chip module with the analysisunit.
 4. A computer readable storage medium including a control programcomprising the processes for causing a computer to execute: receivingexaminee identification information along with analytical parameters andinspection data through a communicating network for transmitting andreceiving data via communication lines from a reagent inspection deviceincluding a removable DNA chip module having a plurality of thin-filmtransistor (TFT) elements, a drive circuit for driving each TFT element,a used flag memory, a terminal unit, and an ejection device for ejectingthe liquid reagent onto the DNA chip module, the TFT elements beingsubstantially linearly arranged at substantially equal intervals in aplurality of lines and functioning as semiconductor field-effectbiosensors for detecting the reaction between a liquid reagent and theblood of an examinee supplied on the TFT elements; recording theanalytical parameters and the inspection data in association with theexaminee identification information with an analysis unit that storesthe analytical parameters, receives the examinee identificationinformation, instructs the ejection device to eject the reagent to theDNA chip module, reads results of an analyzed DNA chip module based onselected analytical parameters, and produces and outputs data related tothe results of the analyzed DNA chip module; and requesting a diagnosisbased on the inspection data, wherein the analysis unit produces andoutputs the data of the results of the analyzed DNA chip module, theexaminee-identification information, and the selected analyticalparameters through the communicating network; the analysis unit isadapted to be controlled from a remote location through thecommunicating network by a control unit such that the analyticalparameters may be selected remotely via the communication network; theanalytical parameters are information directed to diseases and symptoms;and the terminal unit includes terminals for inputting and outputtingvarious signals of each TFT element, is adapted to input a signal to thedrive circuit, and is adapted to write and read signals of the used flagmemory.
 5. The medium according to claim 4, further comprising recordingon the DNA chip module that the DNA chip module has been used after theanalysis with the analysis unit.
 6. The medium according to claim 4,further comprising accessing a diagnostician database that storesinformation of diagnosticians who diagnose the data of the results ofthe inspected DNA chip module; and obtaining and outputtingdiagnostician information obtained from the diagnostician database sothat the selected diagnostician information is produced along with thedata of the results of the inspected DNA chip module with the analysisunit.